An icon of the San Francisco Bay Area jazz community passed away on Dec. 12, 2008 at the age of 79: multi-instrumentalist William B. Lawsha, better known as Prince Lasha. Over the last several years, I was blessed with the opportunity to know and create music with Prince through Eddie Gale's band and workshops. Prince was a true original, with more verve, wit and humor than most people in their 20's and 30's. His musical energy was on a completely different plane than limiting concepts like aging.

At his memorial service, which was packed with musicians, family and friends, I learned more about Prince's life. I would like to share his story as it was written by Prince himself:

...A True Story

I was born in 1929 in Forth Worth, Texas and went to school with Ornette Coleman. We started playing saxophone in a school band (which also produced great names like Charles Moffett and King Curtis) and started our own group in 1947. We worked with Harold Land and Red Connors before going our separate ways.

I have lived in New York, Oakland, Germany, Italy and France where I have had the honor and privilege to perform with many of the greats. Sonny Simmons and I worked together for 6 years; Cecil Taylor, Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, and Sonny Rollins and I recorded together - in fact I wrote "Music Matador" that Dolphy made famous.

Ornette and I are still friends and we perform together whenever we can. Although some say I was too traditional for free music and too free for traditional music, jazz was very good to me for most of my career.

The 1980s and 1990s weren't so kind, however, and I had to redirect my efforts to make a living. Then in the early 2000s, due to a resurgence of interest in my music, I have had incredible opportunities open up to me.

In France late last year, I was granted new instruments: a beautiful new Selmer dearly beloved baritone and a soprano. With the blessing of these new instruments and my dental work made possible by Jazz foundations, I am now able to pursue music again full time. In 2006, I performed at the Blue Note with Odean Pope and Nine Saxophone Choir. That gig included guest saxophonist Joe Lovano, Michael Brecker, James Carter, and myself. During the years that I wasn't doing too well, I wasn't able to keep up the dental work that I needed. Now I had these opportunities, but I needed my teeth fixed in order to play.

Thanks to the Jazz Foundation of America (JFA) and its assistance, I was able to get started with the work I needed. JFA referred me to the California Jazz Foundation, which made a payment to my dentist, allowing me to continue to the work. I don't know what I would have done without the assistance of these two organizations.

Since then, I have traveled to France, and with the blessing of these new instruments and my dental work from the Jazz Foundations, I am now able to pursue music again full time. I am currently releasing a new CD on my own label, Birdseye Records, called Baritone Madness. It features Woody Shaw, Ron Carter, Odean Pope and Eddie Gale.

Forever grateful,
William B. (Prince Lasha) Lawsha

As you mentioned above, Prince was involved in a revival of his music at the time of his passing. I invite you to hear Prince's music and read more of his story by clicking on the links below. And most of all, be inspired to celebrate life like Prince did!

- Recordings by Prince Lasha
- An interview with Prince Lasha (All About Jazz)
- The Jazz Foundation